Persian gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Institute, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bandar Abbas, Iran
Abstract
One of the key problems in the lack of development of the marine fish industry in the world is the failure to produce juvenile fish continuously in captivity. This is due to the high mortality of marine fish larvae during rearing in captive conditions. The high mortality of larvae at this stage can stem from various factors. Specifically, nutrition is one of the central factors in the success of aquaculture activities and has a direct effect on reducing or increasing mortality during the larval period. In spite of significant advances in fish nutrition, many questions remain unanswered regarding marine fish larvae nutrition. Marine fish larvae lack a stomach in the first weeks after hatching. However, this does not mean that the digestive tract is non-functional, but the challenge is to determine which nutrients, molecules, or particles the gut can be digested and absorbed. A comprehensive understanding of the nutritional requirements of marine fish larvae contributes to the development and fabrication of formulated feeds and the utilization of essential nutrients to enrich live foods during larval rearing in captivity. This subject leads to increased growth and survival of larvae.
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